Myths and truths about depression

On the whole, most people are pretty clued in about depression. They know mental health problems are important, and in most cases, recognise it’s important to get support.

But, there are still some misunderstandings and myths out there, which make coping with depression a lot harder to deal with.

Here are some myths about depression, and the actual truths behind them.

1. Myth: All young people get depressed, it’s just a normal part of growing up.

Truth: Feeling sad or unhappy is a normal part of growing up. In fact, it’s a normal part of the ups and downs of life, no matter how old you are.

Depression, however, is more than just feeling sad because something’s happened or something’s gone wrong.

It’s feeling miserable or upset to the level where it gets in the way of your day-to-day life for two weeks or longer. It is an illness like asthma or diabetes, which can affect people at any age, and which needs to be recognised and treated.

2. Myth: If you’re depressed, it just means you’re going through a tough time at the moment.

Truth: Depression isn’t just going through a tough time. Tough times, like a relationship break up or your parents getting a divorce, can lead to depression, but they’re not the only reasons influencing you becoming depressed.

Depression is usually caused by a mix of things, such as having a physical illness, not having people to talk to, being bullied or abused, unemployment…and sometimes depression can have no obvious cause at all.

We all deal with stuff differently, so whether it’s a tough time you’re going through or whether it’s depression, it’s important to talk to someone and to get the help you need.

3. Myth: It’s normal for young people to want to spend lots of time on their own.

Truth: It’s sometimes good to chill out and have some time to ourselves.

However, if someone isn’t spending as much time with friends and family as they used to, if they’ve dropped out of the crowd or aren’t doing the things they used to enjoy, then it might be that they aren’t doing too well and are at risk of depression.

4. Myth: If someone wants help they’ll get it themselves.

Truth: Depression zaps energy and self-esteem. Therefore, it can get in the way of a person’s ability to get help for themselves when they really need it.

If you’re worried about someone, it’s far better to share your concerns with a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher, supervisor or counsellor.

No matter what you promised to keep a secret, someone’s life is more important than a promise.

5. Myth: People who are smart or emotionally strong don’t get mental illness.

Truth: Mental health problems, including depression, can affect anyone. It doesn’t matter how smart they are. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got real strength of character, if they’re old or young, if they’re male or female.

However, there are some things about a person’s personality which can help to prevent depression.

Good problem-solving skills and high self-esteem, having close relationships and people you can turn to for support, as well as being involved in school, college or community activities can help prevent depression.

It’s important to note that these things don’t guarantee you won’t get depression, just that they reduce the risk.

6. Myth: You’re either an optimist or a pessimist, you can’t change how you think.

Truth: Constantly thinking negative thoughts, being hard on yourself, and being pessimistic is one thing that can lead to depression, usually as part of a whole mix of causes.

An effective treatment for depression is called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT involves targeting negative thoughts such as “I’m not good enough” and “I’m not going to get better” and learning different and more positive ways to respond to what’s happening in your life.

In severe cases, medication may be utilised alongside CBT to target chemical imbalances in the brain.

7. Myth: All depression needs to be treated with antidepressants.

Truth: For mild to moderate depression, the first choice of treatment should be talking (psychological) therapies. However, if your depression is severe, your doctor might prescribe medication to help you manage your life.

It’s important you get along with and trust your doctor, so that you can work with him or her to find a treatment plan to keep you well.

8. Myth: Just talking and listening to your friends and family will be enough to treat depression.

Truth: Talking and listening to your friends and family is really important to help with the day-to-day ups and downs of life.

However, if you are worried about a friend and think that they might be experiencing depression encourage and support them to seek help. Speak to a trusted adult or your school counsellor about the choices available.